9'x8' room, need ideas

Sometimes less is more- you really only need a single main line with some passing sidings, and a few spurs to service local businesses to get the essence of model railroading. This can be done on a shelf-style layout, so everything is within easy reach. So many guys want to pack as much track on their layout, and the end result is often a ring of loops on a big table that takes up the whole room. I guess that's okay if that works for you, but I prefer a more realistic layout that resembles the real world.

I'm headed down the 2-rail path, but I don't see why you can have 2-rail 36" radius curves. And if you really still want to run that big steamer, why not? Put another line in with 3-rail Gargraves- your layout should meet your needs first. I know  most 2-railer hate the sight of 3 rail track on their layout, but alot can be done to minimize or disguise that center rail.

Geno

I agree Geno, I do not like layouts just covered with track.  As it stands right now, I am selling the big steamer to my friend, who does have the room for a big O scale layout and that will finance a US hobbies brass GP35 thats pro painted in Chessie colors.  I also have a C&O Atlas F9 that I am slowly fixing back up(was a $5 beater from a shop junk box) and a Weaver NS GP38-2 that is gonna get converted to 2 rail from 3 rail, along with a high short hood and some extra details. So right now I am leaning toward the 2 rail world, not that I have an issue with the 3rd rail. With both Atlas O and Gargraves having the phantom center rail, for me its a non issue.  Just looking at Norm C's beautiful PRR layout in 3 rail scale makes my mind boggle!   Mike

OK, lets think multiple levels, maybe a switchback, put a wye at one end or turntable. Maybe a pit mine at the bottom, ore or coal, rock quarry. the scenery potential here is infinite, think " shelves " two feet, maybe 30 inches wide with the elevation taking nearly the circumference of the room.  A 2 percent grade or so would be wonderful. Spurs could be placed all along the hillsides, with many different facilities that would supply a mining operation!

Nice layout.  With the Chessie and NS power, I was thinking a run down coal branch line with some other stops along the way to the tipple.   Mike

It all depends on what kind of layout you want... If you want a small switching layout of a particular scene then that would work. If you want long runs on a point to point layout then it probably won't work. You will likely be limited to some form of a loop or two. If realistic operations are the goal then I would suggest going to a smaller scale. I am having a hard time designing a 2 rail layout in my 34x18 space because of the types of LDEs and operations I want.

Start with a list of priorities and go from there. Track planning software can help you so you aren't tempted to "fudge". It will keep it real for you.

I cant hardly see the smaller scales, O being the smallest I can comfortable work with.  Have been messing with G outdoors for the last few years but that scale has become both unaffordable and stagnet lately.  I am more of a runner than an operator, enjoying just hooking up a train and letting her run.  I could do a simple around the walls loop with 072 curves and keep my big engine. My friend is only bailing me out of it so I could get a different engine that was smaller.  SO he wont mind me keeping it.  He is planning an outdoor elevated loop of 3 rail with 099 Atlas O curves.  So, if it comes to fruitation, I will will be able to stretch her legs once and awhile so to speak.  I also may put something like this in above my G scale ground level line outdoors.  2 rail and large steam is something I will never have the room for, I know this for certain.   Mike

Perhaps you ought to consider On30.  It is relatively inexpensive compared to 3-rail O scale and you can fit a lot of stuff in a small space.

Jan

Around the walls. 36" radius (possibly 40.5" or even 42"). Hopefully the door to the room is on one corner so you can put in an angled lift out/drop down/swing up gate to enter the room. This one has very narrow decks, but utilizes the corners for spurs. Radius is 36" using Atlas un-modified #5 turnouts.

That looks good Matt, yes the door is in one corner, it would be in the lower right side, so the angled part would have to flip sides from where it is now on the left, but thats no big deal.  Mike

Simple enough. I have a room that's 11 1/2 by 12 that I've thought about building a layout in. I tell people small space is a challenge to O scale, but not a bar to a layout.

I am just about to get started with mine...it will be a shelf layout in a 8x10 room. O gauge on level 1 and S gauge on level 2. Each will have mainline on the shelf and then an elevated track. I tried to fit some O72 curves in but they are just too big, so I am staying with O42 and O36 curves and smaller locos. I like to run trains in loops and I can't go horizontal so I am going vertical. Have fun with it. 

Thanks for flipping it Matt, I will do most of it in flex track as I am using the older Austrian produced Atlas O track.  I have 12 pieces of flex, a couple "snap track" style straights and 3/4 of a circle of thier 24" radius(I think) curved track.  I made my first official payment on the US Hobbies GP35 at the LHS, and am ordering the needed stuff to convert my Weaver NS GP38-2 over to 2 rail.   The game is afoot! Mike